Associated Grocers of New England plans expansion in Pembroke

Associated Grocers of New England announced yesterday a 105,000-square-foot expansion to its Pembroke warehouse, but the development isn’t expected to add any long-term jobs.

Construction is expected to start within the next couple of months and could be completed by the end of the year, said Michael Bourgoine, the chief executive officer. He would not disclose the estimated cost of the construction.

Pembroke Town Administrator David Jodoin said Associated Grocers is already approved to build about 600,000 square feet at its current location. Yesterday’s announcement represents the company’s first major expansion since the construction of its 380,000-square-foot facility in 2006.

The co-op employs about 350 workers. The new space will house an automated product transporter, which is why jobs will not be created, he said.

“It’s more we’ve just run out of room and we need more,” Bourgoine said.

Truck traffic is not expected to increase since those coming from the warehouse are not operating at full capacity, Bourgoine said.

Associated Grocers started in Concord in 1946 as New Hampshire Wholesale Grocers. Today, it is the largest wholesale grocery distributor in New England, Bourgoine said. It provides frozen food, produce, meat and dry goods to more than 600 independent convenience and grocery stores, he said.